How to Get a Multistate Nursing License Through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025 – Fast & Easy Guide

If you’re a nurse looking to expand your career opportunities, knowing how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025 is essential. The NLC allows Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVNs) to practice in multiple states with just one license—without the need to apply separately in every individual state. This fast-track licensing process is ideal for travel nurses, telehealth professionals, military spouses, and nurses who live near state borders.

Under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), your multistate license is issued by your home state (your primary state of legal residence) and grants you the privilege to work in other compact states—whether you’re delivering care in person or remotely. As of 2025, 43 U.S. jurisdictions have joined the NLC, making this the most flexible and time-saving option for nurses who want nationwide mobility.

In this comprehensive 2025 guide, you’ll learn exactly how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), including:

• A breakdown of eligibility requirements

• Step-by-step application process

• List of current NLC member states

• What to do if you move to a new state

• Differences between the NLC and the APRN Compact

• Benefits for nurses, healthcare employers, and patients

Whether you’re preparing for a cross-country travel assignment, switching to telehealth, or simply seeking more flexibility in your career, understanding how to get a multistate nursing license through the NLC in 2025 will open doors to exciting opportunities.

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What Is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is an interstate agreement that allows eligible RNs and LPN/LVNs to obtain a multistate nursing license and legally practice in any compact member state without needing additional licenses. Instead of applying separately in every state, nurses whose primary state of residence is part of the NLC can use their home state license to work freely across state lines.

This flexibility is especially beneficial in 2025, as demand grows for nurses who can quickly adapt to staffing needs across the country, particularly in remote, rural, or high-demand urban areas. It also makes life easier for travel nurses and those in telehealth roles—since you won’t need to pay extra fees or deal with repeated paperwork for every new state you work in.

It’s important to note that the NLC applies only to RNs and LPN/LVNs. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners and CRNAs, are covered under a separate compact agreement called the APRN Compact, which we’ll explain later in this guide.

To protect patients and maintain professional standards, nurses who apply for a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact must meet uniform licensure requirements, including a federal criminal background check. Each compact state retains regulatory authority over nursing practice within its borders—so even with a multistate license, nurses must follow local scope-of-practice laws.

As of early 2025, the vast majority of U.S. states have either fully implemented or are actively joining the NLC, which means nurses in these areas can work in dozens of states under one license. States that have not joined the compact still require separate licensure, but more are expected to join in the near future.

History & Evolution of the NLC: From Original Compact to the Enhanced eNLC (1999–2025)

To fully understand how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025, it’s important to know how the compact evolved into the powerful licensure tool it is today.

The original NLC was first introduced in 2000 by a small group of forward-thinking states—Maryland, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. The goal was to create a mutual recognition system where nurses could practice across state lines using a single license, rather than applying individually in each state. Over the next few years, more states joined, and by the mid-2000s, about 25 states had signed on. However, growth slowed as concerns surfaced about inconsistent licensing standards and the lack of uniform background checks across participating states.

To address these issues, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and state boards collaborated in 2015 to design a modernized version of the compact—the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). This updated version introduced Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs), including:

• Mandatory federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks

• Standardized eligibility rules for license applicants

• Cross-state communication and disciplinary coordination for public safety

The eNLC officially launched in January 2018, replacing the original compact. Nurses with valid multistate licenses under the old NLC were grandfathered into the new system, unless their state opted out of the enhanced version. States like Rhode Island, which initially declined to join the eNLC, later passed new legislation and re-entered the compact (Rhode Island rejoined in 2023).

Since 2018, how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) has become simpler and more consistent, thanks to widespread adoption and standardized rules. By 2021, more than 34 states had joined, and by 2025, 43 U.S. jurisdictions, including territories like Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, had implemented the compact.

Recent additions include:

• Washington State (joined April 2023)

• Rhode Island (rejoined June 2023)

• Connecticut (joined May 2024)

• Massachusetts (joined November 2024)

These states became the 40th through 43rd compact members, showing how the compact has gained national traction in response to workforce shortages and the growing demand for cross-border nursing flexibility.

While most of the country has embraced the NLC, a few large states remain outside the compact in 2025. California, New York, and Oregon have yet to join, largely due to resistance from local nursing boards, unions, or legislative barriers. Other non-compact states as of early 2025 include Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. However, nearly all of them have seen active NLC legislation introduced in recent years.

The bottom line? The path to getting a multistate nursing license through the NLC in 2025 is now clearer and more accessible than ever before. What began as a small coalition has grown into a near-national licensing system—designed to support a modern, mobile nursing workforce and meet the evolving needs of patients, hospitals, and healthcare systems across the country.

History & Evolution of the NLC: From Original Compact to the Enhanced eNLC (1999–2025)

To fully understand how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025, it’s important to know how the compact evolved into the powerful licensure tool it is today.

The original NLC was first introduced in 2000 by a small group of forward-thinking states—Maryland, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. The goal was to create a mutual recognition system where nurses could practice across state lines using a single license, rather than applying individually in each state. Over the next few years, more states joined, and by the mid-2000s, about 25 states had signed on. However, growth slowed as concerns surfaced about inconsistent licensing standards and the lack of uniform background checks across participating states.

To address these issues, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and state boards collaborated in 2015 to design a modernized version of the compact—the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). This updated version introduced Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs), including:

• Mandatory federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks

• Standardized eligibility rules for license applicants

• Cross-state communication and disciplinary coordination for public safety

The eNLC officially launched in January 2018, replacing the original compact. Nurses with valid multistate licenses under the old NLC were grandfathered into the new system, unless their state opted out of the enhanced version. States like Rhode Island, which initially declined to join the eNLC, later passed new legislation and re-entered the compact (Rhode Island rejoined in 2023).

Since 2018, how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) has become simpler and more consistent, thanks to widespread adoption and standardized rules. By 2021, more than 34 states had joined, and by 2025, 43 U.S. jurisdictions, including territories like Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, had implemented the compact.

Recent additions include:

• Washington State (joined April 2023)

• Rhode Island (rejoined June 2023)

• Connecticut (joined May 2024)

• Massachusetts (joined November 2024)

These states became the 40th through 43rd compact members, showing how the compact has gained national traction in response to workforce shortages and the growing demand for cross-border nursing flexibility.

While most of the country has embraced the NLC, a few large states remain outside the compact in 2025. California, New York, and Oregon have yet to join, largely due to resistance from local nursing boards, unions, or legislative barriers. Other non-compact states as of early 2025 include Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. However, nearly all of them have seen active NLC legislation introduced in recent years.

The bottom line? The path to getting a multistate nursing license through the NLC in 2025 is now clearer and more accessible than ever before. What began as a small coalition has grown into a near-national licensing system—designed to support a modern, mobile nursing workforce and meet the evolving needs of patients, hospitals, and healthcare systems across the country.

How the NLC Works in 2025: Key Principles & What You Need to Know

Now that you understand the history behind the compact, let’s break down how the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) works today—and exactly what you need to qualify. If you’re wondering how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025, this section walks you through the essentials, from eligibility to real-world application.

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 Primary State of Residence (PSOR)

To be eligible for a multistate license through the NLC, your primary state of legal residence (PSOR) must be a current NLC member. This is typically the state where you live, vote, file taxes, and hold a driver’s license.

For example, if you live in Texas, which is an NLC state, and meet all licensure requirements, your state board can issue you a multistate nursing license. That one license allows you to legally practice in every other NLC member state—without reapplying or paying extra fees. However, you can only hold one multistate license at a time. If you move to another compact state, you must apply for license transfer through endorsement in your new home state.

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 Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs)

To get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025, you must meet these standardized eligibility criteria:

• Hold an active, unencumbered RN or LPN/VN license in your PSOR

• Graduate from an approved nursing program

• Pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam

• Complete a federal FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check

• Fulfill any state-specific requirements (such as English proficiency for international graduates)

If you don’t meet these requirements (e.g., you have a past felony or disciplinary history), you may still be eligible for a single-state license, but not a multistate one.

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 How to Apply for a Multistate License

The process of getting a multistate nursing license through the NLC in 2025 starts with your state Board of Nursing:

• New nurses in NLC states can apply directly for a multistate license as part of their initial licensure application.

• Experienced nurses moving from a non-compact state to an NLC state must apply by endorsement. Once you meet the NLC’s Uniform Licensure Requirements, you can be issued a multistate license.

For example, a nurse relocating from California (non-compact) to Florida (NLC member) would apply for license endorsement. If eligible, Florida will issue a multistate RN license.

You can confirm whether your current license is single-state or multistate by checking the Nursys database—an official licensure verification system.

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 Practice Privileges Across State Lines

Once approved, your multistate license gives you full practice privileges in every NLC member state. This includes both in-person practice (e.g., travel nursing or temporary relocation) and remote telehealth services.

For example:

• A nurse in Arizona can provide virtual care to patients in Colorado.

• A Texas-licensed travel nurse can work in Ohio without applying for a separate license.

However, if you plan to work in a non-NLC state (like California or New York), you’ll still need to follow the traditional licensing process for that specific state.

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 State Laws & Disciplinary Oversight

Even with a multistate license, you must comply with the nurse practice act and professional regulations of the state where the patient is located. If you’re practicing in Missouri under a North Carolina-issued license, you must follow Missouri’s nursing laws.

NLC states have authority to:

• Investigate complaints

• Take disciplinary action (e.g., suspend your privilege to practice in that state)

• Report serious offenses to the compact system

If your home state suspends or revokes your multistate license, that action applies in all compact states. This cross-state disciplinary coordination ensures public protection and accountability.

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 NLC Benefits for Nurse Educators

The NLC isn’t just for bedside nurses. Nurse educators and clinical faculty also benefit. Many online or hybrid nursing programs now serve students in multiple states. A multistate license lets you:

• Teach students located in any compact state

• Serve as a preceptor or clinical consultant across borders

• Eliminate the need to apply for multiple licenses just to teach or supervise remotely

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 Think of the NLC Like a Driver’s License

The NLC functions similarly to how your driver’s license works: you only need one, but you’re expected to follow each state’s rules wherever you drive. Likewise, your multistate nursing license allows you to practice across the U.S.—while complying with each state’s laws.

Whether you’re switching jobs, launching a telehealth career, or just seeking flexibility, understanding how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025 gives you a major professional edge.

Where Can You Use Your Multistate License? Compact vs. Non-Compact States (2025)

If you’re wondering how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025, the next logical question is: Where can you actually practice with it?

As of mid-2025, the NLC has expanded across most of the U.S., making it easier than ever for nurses to work across state lines. 43 states and U.S. territories have officially enacted the compact, with 38 to 40 actively issuing or recognizing multistate licenses. Some states have passed the NLC but are still in the process of implementing it, while a few others have legislation pending or have taken no action at all.

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 Compact Member States (Fully Implemented as of May 2025)

These states have fully adopted and implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact. If your primary state of residence (PSOR) is on this list, and you meet the NLC’s requirements, you can practice in all other compact states using one multistate license:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

http://realnursingjourney.com/Complete Guide: How to Apply for a Multistate License

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 Recently Enacted – Implementation in Progress

These states or territories have passed NLC legislation but are still working on full implementation. If you’re applying from here, you may need to wait before you can obtain or use a multistate license:

• Connecticut – Enacted; effective October 1, 2025

• Massachusetts – Enacted November 2024; implementation underway

• U.S. Virgin Islands – Enacted December 2021; pending full rollout

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 Partial Implementation – Limited Privileges

These jurisdictions have some components of the NLC in place, such as recognizing visiting nurses with multistate licenses from other states—but they are not yet issuing their own multistate licenses:

• Pennsylvania – Allows visiting multistate nurses (since Sept 2023), full implementation pending

• Guam – Similar partial participation status

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 Legislation Pending (Active Bills Introduced in 2025)

These states and territories have introduced bills to join the NLC, but haven’t enacted them yet. If you’re from one of these, watch closely—things may change soon:

• Alaska – HB 131 / SB 124 (2025)

• Hawaii – HB 897 (2025)

• Illinois – HB 1706 (2025)

• Michigan – HB 4246 (2025)

• Minnesota – HF 1925 / SF 2608 (2025)

• Nevada – SB 34 (2025)

• New York – SB 3916 / AB 3007 (2025)

• Oregon – SB 966 (2025)

• Washington, D.C. – Council Bill 26-0069 (2025)

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 No Legislative Action or Not Eligible

These locations have not taken any official steps toward joining the NLC as of 2025—or are not eligible:

• California – No action taken (prior bill AB 3232 failed in 2024)

• American Samoa – No legislative movement

• Northern Mariana Islands – No action

• Puerto Rico – Not eligible (Associate NCSBN member)

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 Quick View: Where You Can Practice in 2025

• 38 states are fully operational under the NLC

• 3 states + 1 territory have enacted but are still implementing

• 2 jurisdictions have partial implementation

• 9 states + D.C. have NLC bills pending in 2025

• 3 jurisdictions have taken no action (CA, American Samoa, NMI)

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For the most accurate and real-time status updates, always refer to the NCSBN Compact Map or the official Nurse Licensure Guidance Tool from NurseCompact.com. These tools can help you confirm where you can practice based on your residence or where you’re planning to relocate.

States with Pending NLC Legislation in 2025: Who’s Next to Join?

While most U.S. states now participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, a handful are still in the process of debating or introducing legislation. If you’re researching how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025, it’s important to understand which states are actively moving toward joining—and which are not.

http://Interactive Nurse Compact Map & Guidance Tool (NurseCompact.com)

As of May 2025, the following states have pending legislation to join the NLC. This means a bill has been introduced but not yet signed into law or fully enacted:

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 States with Active or Recently Introduced NLC Bills:

• Alaska – Lawmakers have introduced legislation (HB 131 / SB 124) following guidance from the state’s Board of Nursing.

• California – The most recent compact bill (AB 3232) failed to pass in 2024, but debates are ongoing. Concerns over union influence and state-specific regulations remain.

• Hawaii – HB 897 was introduced in 2025, showing renewed interest from the legislature.

• Illinois – Multiple NLC bills have been introduced in recent sessions, including HB 1706, though none have passed as of this writing.

• Michigan – HB 4246 is currently under review in 2025, signaling progress toward potential adoption.

• Minnesota – Active legislation (HF 1925 / SF 2608) is under consideration this year.

• New York – Compact bills like SB 3916 and AB 3007 are back on the docket in 2025. The state faces resistance from labor groups, but interest in nurse mobility is growing.

• Washington, D.C. – The District has a live council bill (CB 26-0069) that would authorize NLC participation.

Update: Massachusetts, previously in this category, officially enacted the compact in November 2024 and is now in the process of implementation.

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 States with No Current NLC Activity (2025)

While most states are moving toward licensure mobility, two states and two U.S. territories have not taken legislative action on the NLC as of mid-2025:

• Nevada – No pending legislation

• Oregon – No current bills in motion

• American Samoa – No legislative progress

• Northern Mariana Islands – No known activity

If you’re planning to practice in these jurisdictions, you’ll need to go through the traditional licensure process—including separate applications, fees, and verification steps. These locations do not recognize multistate privileges.

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Why This Matters: Compact vs. Non-Compact Practice

For nurses, the difference between working in a compact vs. non-compact state can have a major impact on career flexibility:

• Compact states offer a single, multistate license valid in all other compact states—ideal for travel nursing, telehealth, or border-area work.

• Non-compact states require a separate license for each state where you want to practice—costing you extra time, paperwork, and fees.

That’s why many travel nurses maintain a compact state license as their PSOR (e.g., Texas or Florida), while selectively applying for single-state licenses in major non-compact markets like California or New York when needed.

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 Important Note: Being in a Compact State ≠ Automatically Holding a Multistate License

Just because you’re licensed in a compact state doesn’t mean your license is multistate. You must:

• Meet all Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs)

• Submit a fingerprint-based background check

• Actively apply for multistate status through your state board

For example, when New Jersey joined the NLC in 2021, existing nurses had to upgrade their licenses to gain multistate privileges by completing background checks. New graduates, however, were issued multistate licenses automatically if eligible.

Already Licensed? How to Transfer Your License Through the NLC in 2025

If you’re already an RN or LPN/LVN and want to practice in another state, you’ll typically use the license by endorsement process. This section explains how to transfer your license depending on whether you’re coming from or moving to a compact state.

Knowing how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025 can open doors to faster employment, fewer applications, and greater flexibility. Let’s walk through each scenario step-by-step:

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 Moving from a Non-Compact State to a Compact State

Suppose you’re currently licensed in California (a non-compact state) and land a job in Colorado (a compact state). Here’s what to do:

1. Apply for licensure by endorsement in Colorado.

2. Declare Colorado as your new primary state of residence (PSOR).

3. Complete a fingerprint-based background check.

4. If you meet all Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs), Colorado will issue you a multistate nursing license.

Once approved, your new Colorado-issued multistate license allows you to work not only in Colorado but in every other NLC member state—without applying for additional licenses.

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 Moving from a Compact State to a Non-Compact State

Let’s say you have a Texas multistate license and move to New York, which (as of 2025) has not yet implemented the NLC. Here’s what happens:

• You must apply for a New York RN license by endorsement.

• Once you establish residency in New York, your multistate license loses its multistate status.

• Your Texas license becomes a single-state license, valid only in Texas.

Important: Once you move to a non-compact state, you no longer have NLC privileges—even if your old license is still active. Always notify your board of nursing when changing your primary residence.

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 Moving Between Two Compact States

If you’re relocating from one compact state to another (e.g., from Florida to North Carolina), here’s how to keep your multistate status active:

1. Apply for licensure by endorsement in your new compact state.

2. Declare that state as your new PSOR.

3. Meet ULRs, including a background check if not already on file.

4. Once approved, you’ll receive a new multistate license from your new state.

As of 2024, the NLC now requires you to apply for your new license within 60 days of moving to a new compact state. You can work on your old state’s license temporarily (during those 60 days), but you must transfer before the deadline to stay compliant.

Once your new license is issued:

• Your old license is inactivated.

• Your new multistate license gives you privileges in all other compact states, just like before.

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 Maintaining Your Multistate Nursing License

Whether you’re a new grad or seasoned RN, maintaining your multistate license is relatively simple—especially if you stay on top of a few key responsibilities:

• Renew your license per your home state’s schedule (usually every 2 years).

• Complete continuing education as required by your compact home state.

• Stay in good standing (no disciplinary actions or license restrictions).

• Notify your state board immediately if you change your primary residence.

If your license becomes encumbered, your multistate privileges will be suspended in all compact states until the issue is resolved. NLC member states share disciplinary data, so public protection is consistent across state lines.

Working in Multiple States or Frequently Moving? Here’s What to Know in 2025

For travel nurses, remote RNs, military spouses, or anyone frequently crossing state lines for work, knowing how to get a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2025 is essential. It saves time, reduces paperwork, and gives you the flexibility to practice in over 40 jurisdictions without repeatedly applying for individual state licenses.

However, even with a multistate license, there are specific rules you’ll need to follow when living, working, or relocating across states.

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 Frequent Practice in Multiple States

If you regularly rotate assignments—such as a travel nurse, telehealth provider, or nurse educator—your NLC multistate license is your golden ticket. It:

• Eliminates the need for separate licenses in every compact state you work in.

• Saves you from juggling different renewal dates and CE requirements across states.

• Allows you to immediately accept assignments in other NLC states without delay.

 Just remember: you must always follow the Nurse Practice Act of the state where you are physically (or virtually) practicing. Rules can vary—especially regarding scope of practice or supervision requirements.

 If you also maintain single-state licenses for non-compact states like California or New York, you’ll need to renew those separately and meet their specific CE or compliance requirements.

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 Not Sure About Your License Type? Use Nursys

To check whether your current license is multistate or single-state, visit the official Nursys verification tool. It provides real-time information on your license status, issuing state, and compact privileges.

If you’re licensed in a compact state but only hold a single-state license (common for nurses who were licensed before their state joined the NLC), you may be eligible to upgrade. This usually involves:

• Submitting a background check/fingerprints

• Verifying primary state of residence

• Paying a small upgrade fee

• Applying through your Board of Nursing

Many boards offer a quick application for current licensees seeking multistate privileges.

http://Download our complete NLC checklist

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